Top wo Nerae! Gunbuster

I'm amazed that no one has actually made this recommendation yet. Top wo Nerae is the Onee-chan of NGE by a good seven years. Both are works by Hideaki Anno, but NGE gets all the glory for being more recent (which is a shame in my opinion). Top wo Nerae is a truly groundbreaking, character driven, Sci-Fi anime that is better NGE in many respects. If Top wo Nerae did not exist, then NGE may never have been made... 

The basis for Gurren-Lagann thematic wise: humanity fighting for survival against a righteous enemy, the rise to power from a cowardly lead character and a similar brotherly relationship. 

Gunbuster is the original pretty girls in mecha with heart wrenching emotions anime. VoaDS updates this theme to post Eva levels of teen angst. If you've seen one, you must see the other. 

Ace wo Nerae! (Aim for the Ace!) heavily inspired the idea behind Top wo Nerae (Aim for the Top!) It's near enough the exact same thing; but Aim for the Ace is about Tennis, not giant mechs fighting aliens. Hell, just look at the names!  

Aliens that threaten the existence of humanity (they also appear very similar in both) and the development of mechas to fend off against the aliens is present in both. The setting of both is similar and deals with top notch students training to become pilots of the mechas, who live in some sort of spaceship. 

Both have the absolute greatest cel-shaded animation of all time. Both are mecha space operas. Both have great 80s-era soundtracks. Gunbuster is basically Gundam 0083 if it were good, and is easily one of the top 5 OVA ever made. 

Although they may be somewhat different, both are great series that will tell us a hysterical story and with a great ending in both, they really have a somewhat similar style and counting that both are short animes with the same duration of chapters and that were made by the Same study only makes you increase the odds that you like one if you liked the other. 

Another 1980s series which has a similar romanticized, upbeat, and theatrical feel to this space military drama about young adults trying to make sense of the situation (and themselves) as they face an overwhelmingly unknown enemy. 

Considering 'Aim for the Ace!' inspired Gunbuster, it's shocking that there's NO recommendation for the original TV series or this - its movie adaptation. If you exchanged mecha with tennis, they are so similar that you'd feel like you've watched one already when you watch the second of the two; no matter the viewing order. There's the instructor who says very little and picks a nobody, ignoring the arguments of the elites; there's the hard-working heroine who overcomes everything by enduring and never giving up; and there's the super-elite, naturally talented rival who, initially, is dismissive of the heroine. Even teamwork between the hard-working rookie and her skilled rival plays an important role in both stories. In short: no matter if you like sports or mecha titles, you'll like one if you like the other. It's that simple. read more 

While both anime seem fun and energetic at first, they both use the tropes of their genre in order to deliver a rumination on time and how it changes people. In both cases, the main characters travel through time in some form, and the anime focus on their experience and how it affects themselves and their relationships to their loved ones. Viewed through this prism, I would say both anime are quite similar. 

Both of these '80s OVAs are coming-of-age stories of sorts that concern loss of innocence and a gained understanding of the horrors of war. Also, they largely take place in the future in space, and their characters are designed by the same person. 

Kuuchuu Gunkan Atlantis is a short film that takes quite a bit of visual inspiration from Gunbuster. While the former was released in 2019 and not affiliated with Gainax, it still captures that older Gainax style found in Gunbuster. 

A girl is taken to another place in order to fight with a team. Action? Check! Sci-Fi? Check! Fanservice? Check! Friendship themes? Check! The most notable difference is that Gunbuster is mecha while Strike Witches is more mahou shoujo. 

While the stories aren't especially similar, these anime both exist as the result of a love for 70s and 80s mecha and space opera anime by the founders of studio Gainax. You can clearly see the inspiration, references, and homages to influential anime such as Macross and Mobile Suit Gundam that started the anime otaku subculture. If you are interested in that kind of stuff, you will probably appreciate both of these anime. 

Both are oldschool OVAs about high school girls training in a special program dedicated to driving a mecha.  

Space, combat, Romance, similar beautiful hand drawn look Both are classics. 

Two over-the-top, well-animated '80s sci-fi anime with girl protagonists and an emphasis on giant robots and outer space. Both affectionately parody the anime of their day, are light-hearted, have lots of '80s pop, and and favor awesomeness over logic. 

Do you like strong female characters with dreams and ambitions of their own? Where Utena dreams of becoming a prince who protects princesses, Noriko wants to become a space pilot like her father before her. Both characters try their best to become a better version of themselves, both for themselves and for others. Fundamentally they're both about self-growth, protection, and becoming self-aware. Utena learns how to become a good prince who protects the people she loves, and Noriko learns to believe in herself as she becomes a better pilot.  

Both are mecha anime with an emphasis on characters and the emotional effects of war.  

Main heroines of these two anime, Akari and Noriko are similar. At the beginning of the story they both are weak but talented girls who want to improve their sport skills. Both are bullied by their classmates but they overdo it and go ahead. Both of them go to space where they have to deal with the aliens. 

Both are GAINAX's productions about BISHOUJO, PARTNERSHIP, ROMANCE and SPACE. DIFFERENCES: Gunbuster - sci-fi, mecha, echhi Houkago no Pleiades - magic, Maho Shoujo, moe It seems that they are totally different types of anime, but both of them have a fantastic imagination for space and the theory of relativity. So in some ways, Houkago no Pleiades shows respect for Gunbuster. 

Both are mecha series involving a young hero/heroine struggling to find their place and impress the girl they look up to/love. Both series also involve strange creatures seemingly threatening the planet.  

Made in Abyss is basically exactly the story of Gunbuster reimagined and breathed new life. Both shows deal with a young girl who is driven by the desire to find her missing/presumed-dead parent in an impossible environment. For Riko, that's to find her mother, a White Whistle, the bottom of the Abyss, but for Noriko (the similarity in their names isn't a coincidence, either), her ultimate goal is to find her father, the captain of a space battleship that was attacked by monsters. Both shows pit their young, vulnerable characters up against impossible odds and horrible monsters. Both shows exude the same energy in very different styles and settings. If you liked Made in Abyss, you'll like Gunbuster, too. read more 

Both shows feature almost completely female casts who fight against all odds to achieve their dream. Gunbuster's lead character, Noriko, has the same types of goals and ambitions as the girls in A Place Further Than the Universe. Rather than going to Antarctica, however, Noriko is training to be a mecha pilot in space. Gunbuster deals with more adult themes, but the two shows seem very spiritually connected. 

Know that surreal explosion (or implosion rather) that emanates as an orb of darkness and engulfs nearly everything as it spreads unfathomable world-shattering destruction as it spreads into the distance? Well, both shows have it, they even came out the same year. If you appreciated the one, you might want to check out the other. 

It's the show all the stuff from Captain Earth that was good is originally from. Also try Evangelion! 

Gunbuster (1988) mimicks on purpose Ideon‘s audio mnemonic, which marks the comercial breaks. It serves as a transition work between Ideon and Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann and reworks in a funny way ideons fight for human survival. 

These titles have all the elements of a great Gainax/Trigger creation: The oomph, the boom, and the special something. 

In these series, you will find quite some similar elements: - Plot holes (but I didn't care) - Laws of physics are only observed if it is good for dramatic effect - Teenagers in some kind of military boarding school - Conflict and loss among comrades - Mechs - Fighting against overwhelming odds - Enemies and protagonists getting bigger and bigger - Power of friendship - Emotional finale with the main 2 heroes If you want to see something that is not only aiming for the top, but over the top, watch these titles. 

Both are short ova series with a female protagonist who pilots a mech. Both characters can have their comedic moments but also some good heroic moments ( mostly from Aim the top Gunbuster). Gunbuster has more the action and Patlabor is a SOL mecha series with good cast. 

Watching Uchuu Patrol Luluco really reminds me to Top wo Nerae! a.k.a. Gunbuster, I almost think it's a reference to it (or it indeed is?) - Both main characters are red-haired girl who fight against extra-terrestial beings who threatens Earth - Both starts off as an ordinary student of a space-oriented school - Something bad happened to their parents that made them forcibly recruited to an organization - Both have love interest - Both have some epic moments If you like Uchuu Patrol Luluco I think you will also like Gunbuster.  

DinaGiga is like Gunbuster without the budget, and shares similar elements such as learning how to pilot mechas at school and an upgrade to a humongous machine. Even tho it's not nearly as good, DinaGiga is worth checking out as a look at a bizarro world version of Gunbuster that never properly took off. 

They share that over-the-top style/feel. Both have badass women as the protagonists. The action scenes for both are ridiculous, but at the same time, are awesome.  

The main character Aim For The Top! is the female version of Kamille in Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam. If you liked Zeta Gundam, then Aim For The Top! is a must watch. Both anime series are classics and a blast from the past. The two mecha series rare based on coming of age stories and the people they meet along during their journeys.  

Despite being extremely different, both stories of Gunbuster and LoGH take epic proportions, almost involving universe's fate. Also there're some time skip in both anime.  

If you enjoyed Aim For The Top! and similar classic anime series from the 80's that involve mecha with a good story line, then Escaflowne is a must watch.  

Both have a similar story. Initially only girls piloting robots and both has a person who is admired for his talents. 

Both are old-school mecha anime. Although they both show their age, they also both remain very watchable even now and are rightly hailed as classics. 

Classic mecha anime, the kind of series any fan of the genre should have on their "must watch" list. 

Both series have a plot where an ordinary girl trains to become a mecha pilot, all the while fighting off an unknown enemy. Both have common themes and there's even a Gunbuster parody in Xenoglossia. 

Both have the element of intergalactic battle and use light speed theory as a key element. 

Both involve human's battle for survival vs. space monsters. (although the humans in HA don't battle exclusively with space monsters) In both series, the key to victory lies in the hands of a super being/robot. Both feature battles on an epic scale. however, Heroic Age is a more action driven anime, where Top wo Nerae is more of a character driven drama.  

Gunbuster and Space Battleship Yamato 2199 share the same classic science fiction themes of space travel and interplanetary warfare. Humanity has come into conflict with a technologically advance alien race and its survival depends on the success of a risky mission. Space Battleship Yamato 2199 is an excellent space opera that deserves greater recognition. Gunbuster is undoubtedly a classic anime title that inspired countless Gainax and Studio Trigger titles due to its over-the-top style, but does not have the widespread recognition that it deserves from modern anime fans. You don't want to miss out on these gems.  

In both anime there is a klutz good for nothing girl who wants to go to space, and they both work hard to get over their weekness and be as good as the person they admire. 

Both are old school OVA's with a lot of boob bounce/jiggle and nudity. Both are sci-fi and are set in the far future in space. Takaya Noriko in Gunbuster and Tita in Plastic Little are both daughters of a major military captain/officer and are both pick to help save the Earth from total destruction. Both main characters had a father that die or went missing after fighting against aliens. Difference between the two is that Gunbuster is mecha, has more action and has six episodes while Plastic Little has only one episode that is only 45 minutes long. If you like one, you may like the other.  read more 

Both series feature a war being fought for humanity, Melody of Oblivion after the war is over, and Gunbuster as the war is being fought. Gunbuster has superior animation, characters, and story to Melody of Oblivion though. 

Like Top wo Nerae, Suisei no Gargantia features great space battles in mecha robots against aliens. The abilities of the mecha robots are also similar to the ones in Top wo Nerae. The aliens are of almost the same appearance as the ones in Top wo Nerae withe their flower like look. SnG seems to have take great influence from TwN. 

Nadesico is often viewed as a 'response' to Evangelion, but it can also be linked to other Gainax productions as well, especially Gunbuster and even Otaku no Video (Gainax productions have a lot of common threads). In the case of Gunbuster and Nadesico, both are most similar in their tonality, which can lurch back and forth between zany comedy to stark moments of pathos and loss. In addition, both build upon well worn tropes in the sci-fi/mecha genre and update them with self-awareness. Each protagonist, Akito and Noriko, are anime fans who find themselves embroiled in the 'real-life' versions of their fantasies to do battle against an overwhelming and faceless enemy and must reconcile the disparity.  read more 

Highschool girls in mechs fighting huge monsters to protect humanity but mostly because their coach tells them too. Animation quality is about the same as well. 

From an era were CUDDLY girls were innocent but are tough as nails, AND THATS WHY they are worty in these anime as the main persona! with all the sugarcoating and all :) 

Both works represent the 1980s vision of the future, both feature battle robots, both are predecessors of Neon Genesis Evangelion. 

This show reminded me a lot of Gunbuster. The aliens are similar, and the fanservice is integrated into mech battles. However, Total Eclipse is more gruelsome and graphic, and doesn't have the super robot feel good elements nearly as much 

If you liked how the spaceship battles and spacial issues were handled in The Legend of The Black Heaven, there's a probability you'll like Top wo Nerae. Though this one hasn't a outstanding Hard Rock soundtrack, the plot is awesome. 

Gutsy/hot chicks fighting with Mecha. 

This recommendation seems like it makes no sense, but there is logic behind it. If you're one of the people who really enjoyed Gunbuster's high-school/boot-camp arc, and for reasons other than the bath scene, then you'd probably enjoy Starship Troopers. It dedicates a good 5 episodes to Johnny Rico's training in power armour piloting, and plays out remarkably close to the book. 

both Gundam 00 The Movie and Gunbuster has similar plot aliens, endless number of sharp-shaped aliens, earth army vs aliens in space and somehow have a similar ending 

Gunbuster is the more depthful series by a mile but both have parallels of a bright mecha future turned dark and then turned bright again. (Not in lighting but in optimism/pessimism levels) Compared to most recommendations though, watching one or the other will tone down your liking for the other series because of the quality of the events. Because of this I recommend watching Gunbuster first as Shin Getter Robo is the more forgiveable series to hate. (Forgiveable as in even if you don't like the series because it doesn't meet the standards set by the previous series, you could still gleam enough enjoyment from it because of the addition of an iconic Super Robot series) read more 

Both are high-budget popcorn action OVAs about cute girls. They're both from a similar era (late 80's to mid 90's) and has very attractive retro leads in pretty simple but well executed stores. While one is a cop thriller & the other is more mecha - both have a similar feel to their pacing and spectacle. Their sensibilities are very synced - feeling both geekily indulgent but not pandering full of cute girls & fanservice but never bogging it down. Both are fun & short - each are 3 episodes.